Protective Effects of Valproic Acid in Preventing of Myelin Tissue Destruction and Maintaining Its Density in the Corpus Callosum of Mouse Brain

Abstract

Background: Environmental toxic factors, with their destructive effects on nerve cells and myelin tissue, can induce nervous system dysfunction. The neuroprotective role of valproic acid as an inhibitor of Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3-β) has been proven in some neurodegenerative diseases. In the present study, the effects of this combination were investigated in preventing myelin tissue destruction and maintaining its density in the corpus callosum of mouse brain. Methods: 40 female C57BL/6 mice weighing 20-25 grams were divided into four groups including control, sham, cuprizone and, valproic acid/cuprizone groups. The valproic acid combination was used intraperitoneally, daily, and at a dose of 300 mg/kg. At the end of the research, to check myelin density, Teloidin blue staining, immunohistochemistry and, real-time methods were used. Findings: The results showed that the density of myelin and the percentage of cells expressing the Myelin Basic Protein (MBP) marker increased significantly in the group that received valproic acid compared to the cuprizone group. In addition, the results of myelin-specific gene expression analysis showed that the use of valproic acid can increase the expression of this gene. Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that valproic acid has the ability to prevent myelin tissue destruction and maintain its density, and therefore, the use of this combination can be a suitable combination to prevent and reduce the progression of diseases that destroy nerve tissue. © 2023 Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.